sacred ground

While we lived in Colorado, Ben worked with a guy named Gil.  They became good friends, and the week we moved from Colorado Springs, we actually had a 4th of July party at his house. 

Life has an amazing way of things falling in to place.  In the three years we have been gone, Gil and his family moved into the ward boundary that housed our ward family there.  And even better, Gil decided to be baptized into our church.  He asked Ben to baptize he, and his daughter.

So, we packed our bags, drove 9 hours to Colorado Springs, and stepped on to sacred ground.  At least, that is what I have decided to call it.  Colorado Springs was more than home to us.  It is more than just a place we used to live.  It is more than just a home away from home.  It is sacred ground. 

The memories we made there, the friendships we gained, the experiences we had, and the lessons we learned there will forever be etched into our hearts.  Every time we go there, it all comes flooding back, and I don't think I will ever feel like a visitor there.  It is home, in it's own special way.  And when I am there, it feels as if we never left.

The trip was very fast, and very full.

We, of course, drove straight to Mike and Mel's in Denver, where we talked, laughed, reminisced, and basked in being together twice in one year!!  Oh yeah.  The trip was a little nuts, so I didn't take many pictures.  I don't have any of the Fortin's this time.  Rats.

We got up the next morning, and drove to Colorado Springs.  The beauty of that drive will never cease to amaze me. 

We went to Gil's house to see all of the amazing work they have done to it, and to visit with Gil and his family for a while.

Next, we met up with Ben's other friend and old co-worker, Art.  We ate at Jason's Deli, which is kind of a classic place for our family.

We raced from Jason's Deli, and barely made it to the baptism in time.  Words can't really describe what it was like to sit in a room full of our old friends and ward members, and be there for such a special occasion.  It was surreal.  Because I had all 4 kids to worry about, dress, keep quiet, and chase down, I spent most of the baptism out in the hall.  The few moments I did get to spend in that room though, were very sacred and so special.

After the baptism, we talked, reconnected and lingered with our friends and old ward for as long as possible.

Then, we changed in the church bathroom and zoomed over to another classic place for our family, Garden of the Gods.  It's majesty did not disappoint!

 

We then drove to our good friends house, the Murdocks.  Where they put together a Bar-be-que with all of our closest friends.  Those few hours spent basking in the goodness of my closest friends, talking like time had never passed, watching the kids play, and staring out at the beautiful mountains of Colorado Springs, made my heart feel like all was right in the world.  It was wonderful.

We slept at the Murdock's, in their gorgeous home, and then headed back to Denver the next day.  We spent the rest of that day with Mike and Mel, Tyler and Trevor.  Did I mention how awesome it was to see them twice this year!

Then it was up early, packing, and driving 10 hours back home.

The trip was fast, full, stressful, wonderful, fun, hard, spiritual, and so many other things.  I am so grateful that we had a time in Colorado Springs, and that there are just some things that time and distance can never erase.